Flower symbol in your washing machine: What happens if you put gel there

The layout of a washing machine detergent drawer is a functional engineering choice, not a design whim. Each compartment is timed to release additives at specific points in the wash cycle. Misplacing detergent doesn't just lead to poor cleaning; it can cause mechanical failures that require professional appliance repair. Most standard drawers are divided into three sections marked with symbols: I, II, and a flower/star. Understanding the mechanism of each prevents chemical buildup and eliminates foul odors in the machine. Compartment I (1): Pre-wash. This section is used only for the pre-wash phase. The machine flushes this compartment at the very start of the program. If the selected cycle lacks a pre-wash stage, any powder placed here remains untouched. "Pre-wash is only necessary for heavily soiled laundry," says Ilya Kondratyev, a residential maintenance specialist. "Using it unnecessarily leads to chemical waste and allows undissolved powder to accumulate in the dispenser, which eventually triggers mold growth," Kondratyev notes.